Tulisa’s ‘little muffins’ have become the first female group to ever make the final, breaking the ‘girl band curse’ along the way.

Perrie, Leigh-Ann, Jesy and Jade were visibly emotional after hearing the news, but they have extra reason to celebrate after managing to retain their favourites tag despite mixed comments from the judges on Saturday night’s show.

Amelia Lily, Little Mix and Marcus Collins will battle it out in the X Factor 2011 final (Picture: Rex)

Gary Barlow in particular was heavily critical of the girls, blasting their vocals and saying they need to make Perrie their lead singer if they wanted to achieve success â but bookmakers William Hill have still made the group 6/5 favourites to win.

Amelia Lily has now overtaken Marcus to become second favourite at 9/4, while Collins is languishing in third with odds of 5/2.

After Sunday’s results show Tulisa said fans may have been ‘angered’ by Barlow’s criticism, telling Xtra Factor hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs: ‘I think the people watching who knew how amazing their last performance was may have been angered by his comments. But I think Little Mix fans are true and they will vote either way.’

The N-Dubz star also admitted she thought a Little Mix victory would ‘inspire women’, adding: ‘I think if Little Mix won the competition and got a record deal it would inspire women across the country. You can change people’s lives through music and that for me is important.’